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Phuket recorded more than 9.2 million visitors during the first eight months of 2026, although total arrivals were 1.76% lower than during the same period last year. At the same time, the island is preparing to add four new direct international routes before the start of the peak tourism season. Figures from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, presented at a Phuket provincial administration meeting on September 28, showed that 9,200,166 people visited the island between Januar

Two US Navy warships are scheduled to visit Phuket in early October, with the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) expected to arrive at the deep-sea port at Cape Panwa on October 5. The visit is scheduled to continue through October 10. Patong Police confirmed the planned port call in a September 29 update following a meeting at the police station with representatives of the US Embassy in Thailand, including Lou Pham and

A 28-year-old French national was critically injured in a shooting incident at a range in Kathu, Phuket, on September 28. Police are investigating the circumstances and have not yet confirmed exactly how the shooting occurred. Kathu Police were alerted at around 2:30pm and sent officers to the shooting range, where they found the injured man, identified as William Gill. Rescue workers provided first aid before taking him to Vachira Phuket Hospital. He reportedly suffered a se

A Thai woman in Phuket has reportedly lost more than 140,000 baht in gold and cash after a Moroccan man she met through a dating application allegedly stole valuables from her accommodation. The incident was brought to public attention by a friend of the woman, who contacted a local media page and asked for the story to be shared as a warning. The report was published on September 28, although the exact date and time of the alleged theft were not disclosed. According to the w

Thailand marked National Flag Day on September 28 with official ceremonies held across the country, including several events in Phuket. The main ceremony in Phuket took place in the morning at Phuket Provincial Hall and was led by newly appointed Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom. A separate ceremony was held at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), led by its president Rewat Areerob. Local authorities, government agencies and public institutions also orga

Phuket officially welcomed home America’s Got Talent 2026 champion Rattikarn “Nene Royal” Amloy and her family on September 27, following her victory in the international talent show. The official reception was held at the Khaw Sim Bee Meeting Hall of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO). Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom led the ceremony, which was also attended by PPAO President Rewat Areerob. During the event, the Governor presented a royal portrait of

A 15-year-old boy died after the Toyota Vios he was driving crashed into a high-voltage power pole in Chalong shortly after midnight on September 27. Two other teenagers, both aged 17, were injured in the accident. The crash occurred at around 12:30am at the entrance to Soi Yot Sane in Moo 10, Chalong. The white sedan had been travelling along Chao Fa West Road towards Rawai Beach when the driver lost control of the vehicle. Chalong Police said five teenagers were travelling

Construction of the Kathu–Patong tunnel is now scheduled to begin no earlier than October 2027, while the planned opening of the Phuket Expressway has been pushed back to October 2031. The latest timetable was confirmed in September by Thailand’s Expressway Authority (EXAT) and the government. The project has already gone through several revisions, with its implementation schedule repeatedly changing over recent years. According to the current plan, Phase 1 of the Phuket Expr

A police officer in Phuket accidentally shot his mother in the head while handling his service pistol at their home on September 24. The woman was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries. The shooting was reported at around 9:20pm at a house in Koh Kaew, Mueang Phuket district. Officers from Mueang Phuket Police Station coordinated an emergency response, with rescue workers and medical personnel sent to the scene. Responders found the woman unconscious with a singl

Phuket has been named the top wellness destination by Canadian travellers in the 2026 Travellers’ Top Picks Awards, organised by Air Canada Vacations. The result was announced on September 25 by Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploythalay Laksamisaengchan. Phuket received the highest number of votes in the Wellness category following a public vote that attracted more than 1.3 million votes across all 10 award categories. The award was presented during the Air Canada Vacations T

A 31-year-old woman has been arrested in Phuket for allegedly using rented vehicles as collateral to obtain money through online car-pawning services. Police said she obtained around 300,000 baht from two rental vehicles taken in Phuket and Bangkok before both companies eventually recovered their cars. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested the suspect at a condominium car park in Kathu district on September 22. The woman, identified only as 31-year-old

Sixteen-year-old singer and guitarist Nene Royal from Phuket has won America’s Got Talent 2026, becoming the first contestant from Thailand to claim the title in the history of the US talent show. The result was announced by host Terry Crews during the live Season 21 finale on NBC on September 23. The broadcast took place on the morning of September 24 in Thailand. Nene, whose real name is Rattikan “Praew” Amloy, received the highest number of votes from eligible viewers in t

The US Secret Service has recognised Phuket police officers for their work investigating suspected counterfeit US dollars, including two cases involving suspicious banknotes presented at currency exchange shops. An American delegation presented certificates of appreciation during a visit to Phuket Provincial Police Headquarters on September 22. Senior Special Agent and Assistant Attaché Samuel Cloud led the delegation at a meeting with Phuket Provincial Police Commander Polic

A large trailer wheel came loose and struck a motorcycle stopped at a red light in Koh Kaeo, Mueang Phuket, seriously injuring the female rider on September 22. Mueang Phuket Police were called to the Koh Kaeo Intersection at around 2pm to investigate the accident and assist the injured woman, whose identity was not released. According to the report, the wheel detached as the trailer approached the intersection and then hit the motorcycle while it was waiting at the traffic l

A Thai woman has alleged that a group of foreign women attacked her outside a bar on Bangla Road in Phuket after accusing her of trying to take their clients. The woman, who works for a tour company, shared details of the alleged assault on September 22. She said she went to Bangla Road in Patong after finishing work on September 20. According to her account, four or five foreign women were drinking at a nearby table with several foreign men. She did not provide details about

More than 3,000 residents of the Khok Tanod community in Chalong are seeking government assistance as a long-running dispute over privately owned land has led to eviction lawsuits affecting 669 households. Community representatives from Moo 9 submitted a petition to the Phuket Damrongdhama Centre, the province’s complaints and assistance centre, on September 21. They asked authorities to help protect residents’ rights during the ongoing legal process and prepare housing assis

Phuket Marine Office has issued a warning to boat operators as unfavourable weather is expected to affect the province from September 21 to 27. Small vessels have been advised to remain close to shore where possible, while boats less than 7 metres long are prohibited from going out into open sea. The requirements are set out in Phuket Marine Office Order No. 105/2569, issued on September 21. According to the forecast from Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) cited in th

Thai fans are preparing to follow Phuket singer and guitarist Nene Royal as she takes the stage in the live final of America’s Got Talent Season 21. The 16-year-old performer, whose real name is Praew Rattikarn Amloy, is one of 10 finalists competing for the Season 21 title and the programme’s US$1 million prize. When to watch the AGT 2026 final The first part of the two-night finale will air live on NBC on Tuesday, September 22, from 9pm to 11pm Eastern Time. In Thailand, th

A 63-year-old Swedish man has died in hospital after being found with bruising and other unexplained injuries at a hotel in Cherng Talay, Phuket. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. Hotel staff first found the man lying face-down at the property on September 17. He was conscious and able to speak, but employees noticed bruises on his body. Staff offered to arrange medical treatment, but the man declined and did not explain how he had sustained th

Phuket MP Somchat Techathaworncharoen has been summoned by Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for a third time as a witness in an investigation into property allegedly held through Thai nominees on behalf of foreigners. Justice Minister Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon Naowarat said on September 21 that the new summons is scheduled for September 28. The date was set at Somchat’s request, and the minister said he expected the MP to appear. The investigatio